Rate of Kids Without Health Insurance Hits New Low

The rate of children without health insurance fell from 8% in 2010 to a record low 4% in 2016. This change resulted in 2.6 million more kids picking up health insurance over a six-year span.

Across the country, 45 states reported declining rates of kids without insurance. About half of these states — 23 total — saw dramatic drops of at least 50%.

Despite such big-picture progress — one in which every major economic, racial and ethnic group saw child uninsured rates fall — disparities persist. Poor and low-income kids remain uninsured at a rate that is three times higher (6%) than their more affluent peers (2%), and American Indian and Latino kids still top the most-likely-to-lack-health-insurance list.

Health insurance status is an important measure of child well-being. Medical insurance coverage helps support a child’s healthy development and academic growth. It also helps safeguard families from financial devastation should a child fall seriously or chronically ill. Medicaid, the American Care Act and other state and federal programs have made these improvements possible.